In my never-ending search for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Venues in and around the NYC area, I can now at least say there are a few who still wave the headbanger flag proudly in Brooklyn.

Based in an unassuming spot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this darkly lit bar and live music venue does it right. Reasonably priced booze as compared to most NYC bars, super friendly bartenders and staff, a heavy metal DJ spinning a killer mix of old and new rocking tunes, some great memorabilia behind the bar, terrific photos and posters along the wall, and the prerequisite graffiti strewn bathroom. (OK, even though the loo was a dive, it was surprisingly pretty clean. Even the ladies approved – always a plus.)

So much beer. As soon as I walked into Draught 55 in NYC I knew this joint lives up to its name. The beer list itself takes up two pages. I might have to revisit this place over and over to try them all!

I recently dropped in here with a friend to catch up on things. Epic beer list! $5 happy hour with a select list of brews, cocktails, wine until 8pm daily. I do wish they offered a more robust selection for the beers during HH, as only having a few available considering the monster beer list was kind of a big tease. With the amount of beer on tap I am sure they could add a few more for happy hour. Hey guys, make it happier! Continue reading Draught 55 in NYC lives up to it’s name!→

Hard rock. Heavy metal. Brews served in humongous chilled goblet glasses. Old school beer memorabilia, classic rock star photos, shuffleboard, and 70’s style wooden paneling on the walls. Classic cheesecake posters of Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs in the game room. This is the world you discover at Rocka Rolla based in Brooklyn, NYC.

This is one of those spots that you find now and then in the NYC area which makes you wish was closer to your apartment, but also glad that it’s far enough away from you. The temptation to lure me into here on a daily basis would be tough to resist. My liver would hate me, but man, would I be a happy camper here.

Red Hook Bait & Tackle is one of those places. It’s one of those bars that every New Yorker who appreciates a good dive should trek out to at least once. Plus, this bar was devastated by Hurricane Sandy along with many other businesses in the Red Hook area, so that makes it even more of a terrific pilgrimage to visit and support them. It’s a testament to the owners resolve, and the community who helped them get back on their feet. Continue reading Red Hook Bait & Tackle – a Hurricane Sandy Survivor→